A new documentary revisiting Michael Jackson's 2005 criminal trial has reignited debate over one of the most contested legacies in modern pop culture, propelled by stark allegations from a former member of the singer's inner circle. Vincent Amen, who served as Jackson's public relations adviser during the period surrounding the trial, says he is convinced the entertainer sexually abused children and that the conduct was concealed for years.
"I absolutely believe that Michael Jackson is guilty of child abuse and molestation," Amen said in the documentary. "I believe there was a cover-up for so many years." His remarks come as renewed media attention focuses on the trial that ended with Jackson's acquittal but failed to extinguish long-running allegations.
Questions about Jackson's relationships with children date back to the 1980s, when he cultivated close friendships with young performers. Formal accusations first surfaced in 1993, when Jordan Chandler, then 13, accused Jackson of molestation. That case was settled out of court for a reported $20 million to $30 million, while Jackson consistently denied wrongdoing.
The scrutiny intensified in 2005, when Jackson stood trial in California on charges including child molestation, conspiracy to kidnap and false imprisonment. After four months of testimony, a jury acquitted him on all counts. Despite the verdict, the trial marked a turning point in Jackson's public life, followed by physical decline, isolation and an aborted comeback effort before his death in 2009 from a prescription drug overdose.
Amen's account centers on his proximity to events during that period and his interactions with Frank Cascio, a longtime Jackson confidant. Cascio and members of his family have since alleged that Jackson groomed and molested them for years, claims that are now the subject of renewed legal efforts to overturn a 2020 financial agreement.
Reflecting on those allegations, Amen said, "From what I know now, sex abuse victims reveal information about their abuse, piece by piece, over the years." He described how perceptions inside Jackson's orbit shifted after the 2003 Martin Bashir documentary that showed Jackson discussing his close contact with children.
In that film, Jackson said, "I have slept in a bed with many children," and added, "The most loving thing to do is to share your bed with someone." The broadcast triggered widespread backlash and helped set the stage for criminal charges two years later.
Amen said his role included managing fallout from the Bashir documentary, including proposed travel arrangements involving Gavin Arvizo, the accuser in the 2005 case. "It was never discussed to keep this family from the press, but it was a part of the process," he said, describing efforts to contain media exposure.
He also recounted discovering a magazine containing advertisements for videos involving naked children, with some items marked for purchase. Amen described the moment as a personal turning point that contradicted Jackson's carefully managed public image.
"I was scared. I was 22 years old," Amen said, explaining why he did not come forward earlier. His testimony was not presented at trial, but he says it reflects a broader pattern of silence and institutional protection.
